Pfizer announced Wednesday that its COVID-19 vaccine is strongly protective and safe for kids as young as 12.
Most COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out worldwide are for adults, who are at higher risk from the virus. Until now, the Pfzier vaccine has been authorized for ages 16 and up.
In the vaccine study of 2,260 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15, early data showed there were no cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated adolescents compared to 18 among those given dummy shots, Pfizer reported.
Side effects were reported to be similar to yougn adults, according to the company. Main side effects are pain, fever, chills, and fatiguee, predominatly in the second doese. The study will continue to record and track participants for two or more years to ensure long-term protection and safety.
The US currently has around 66,000 new infections daily, and deaths average nearly 1,000 daily. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky warned Americans again Wednesday that “we can’t afford to let our guard down.”
“We share the urgency to expand the use of our vaccine,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement. He expressed “the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year” in the United States.